Lexus luxury for diesel money, motorway miles essential
The Lexus IS220d was positioned as a refined, well-equipped diesel alternative to the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 for company car drivers and long-distance commuters. It offered Japanese reliability and generous standard equipment but never captured the enthusiast appeal of its rivals. Values have dropped significantly, making it a cheap entry into Lexus ownership.
We track 5 known issues across the Lexus Is220 range, with 4 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Lexus Is220? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
XE20 (2005–2012) — Petrol options included the 2.2 Petrol, with 2.2 D-4D on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 4 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Propshaft flexible coupling deterioration (£180–£300 to address).
The flexible coupling (often called a giubo or flex disc) connects the propeller shaft sections on rear-wheel-drive IS220d models. This rubber and fabric component deteriorates due to oil contamination from nearby seals and normal aging, causing vibration through the drivetrain. MOT data shows this model fails at 41.1 times the fleet average rate for this specific defect, making it the most statistically significant failure mode on the IS220d. The coupling sits beneath the car and is accessible for inspection.
A failed coupling allows excessive propshaft movement, potentially damaging the gearbox output or differential input bearings. Complete failure can cause loss of drive. Repair requires propshaft removal and typically costs £200-400 including labour.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
High-mileage IS220d models develop fuel leaks from various points in the system, most commonly fuel lines, filter housing seals, and tank connections. MOT data shows this model fails at 16.0 times the fleet average rate for fuel system leaks, with failures concentrated on vehicles over 120,000 miles. Diesel fuel leaks are particularly problematic as they create slip hazards and can contaminate the road surface.
Fuel leaks create fire hazards and environmental contamination. They will cause MOT failure and may result in prosecution if fuel drips onto the road. Repair costs vary significantly depending on location - simple line replacement costs £100-200, but tank or pump-related leaks can exceed £500.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
IS220d models suffer from corrosion affecting suspension components, particularly lower control arms, subframe mounting points, and anti-roll bar links. MOT data shows this model fails at 5.9 times the fleet average rate for suspension component damage or corrosion. The problem affects a wide mileage range from 40,000 miles upward, suggesting the aluminium and steel components used in the rear-wheel-drive setup are vulnerable to UK road salt and moisture.
Corroded suspension components compromise vehicle stability and handling. Severe corrosion can lead to component failure, potentially causing loss of control. Replacement of individual components typically costs £200-500, but extensive corrosion requiring subframe work can exceed £1,000.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The IS220d uses a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that requires periodic high-temperature regeneration to burn off accumulated soot. Cars used predominantly for short journeys may not reach the temperatures needed for automatic regeneration, causing DPF clogging. This is a widely documented issue on this engine across multiple Toyota and Lexus applications, though MOT data shows elevated failure rates for smoke opacity testing that correlates with DPF problems.
A blocked DPF will eventually cause the car to enter limp mode with severely reduced power. Professional DPF cleaning costs £200-400, while replacement can exceed £1,500. The car may fail MOT on emissions if the DPF is severely compromised.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
IS220d models show elevated rates of brake disc warping, with MOT data indicating 4.3 times the fleet average for excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution. This suggests the brake discs are prone to warping under normal use, possibly due to the weight of the vehicle and the relatively small disc size for the car's mass. The issue affects all mileage ranges from 40,000 miles upward.
Warped discs reduce braking efficiency and cause vibration that can mask other brake problems. They will eventually cause MOT failure and increase stopping distances. Disc replacement typically costs £150-300 per axle including labour and should be done in pairs.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Lexus Is220 common problems page.
Based on 35k real DVSA MOT tests, the Lexus Is220 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is transmission shaft flexible coupling deteriorated at 41x the fleet average, followed by fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... (16x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Lexus Is220 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Lexus Is220 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Lexus Is220 is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. The 2006-2007 models are the safest choice as they predate the DPF fitment (introduced around November 2008), avoiding the most common and expensive fault. Later 2009-2010 models gained minor refinements but come with DPF headaches. Only buy this car if you regularly drive motorway miles — city and suburban use will destroy the emissions system.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Lexus Is220, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Lexus Is220 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.